This is possibly going to be one of the most open and honest posts I have made on this blog so far. I am not saying that for any other reason that I think it is important. I am not trying to make a point or convey anything other than what I am currently feeling.
Today we had listening prayers at the vicarage. We have listening prayers every Tuesday morning, we are given a part to read from the Bible and then we sit in silence and contemplate it and listen to what God says and where he takes us from there. Today I was struck by one particular phrase that came to mind in my quiet time. "You cannot change the world until you first change your own world" and I knew instantly what it was about.
Potentially in 5 years time I could be a vicar, I could be leading a church somewhere in the country and facilitating the faith and needs of a whole host of people. Am I in a position at this moment in time where I feel capable of doing that? Can I cope with having a hand in other peoples journey with God when my own is still navigating past rocky patches and places where the brambles are overgrown and blocking the way.
When I was younger, around the age of 12, my faith was utterly unshakeable. Nothing could stop me in my belief, nothing made me question the existence of my God and nothing could provide an unanswerable quandry. I saw everything in black and white. This was right and this was wrong. There was no middle ground. I wish I had the first part of that back. I am pleased that I am now more relaxed in my faith and that I have a more personal relationship with God but I wish I could return to the time when my faith was utterly unwavering (although I would rather not return to my more militant and fundementalist views). Jesus said to his disciples that we all need to have faith like Children and I think for the first time in my life I really understand what that means on a personal level. It was much easier to believe when I was younger.
Suprisingly, one of my favourite films comes up with a good explaination of that. Dogma, while meant to be a frivilous look at the way the Catholic Church operates and a film that is not scripturally accurate etc, it does make one good point. A character states "Faith is like filling a cup, when you are younger the cup is very small and it is easy to fill. When you get older the cup gets bigger and the same amount no longer fills it" - I would not say that I feel spiritually empty or even that I am going through a wilderness time but simply that my affairs, spiritually, are not in order. I have not made enough time with God to develop my relationship with him, I've not listened well enough to what he has said. If I am totally honest, then I have, for some time, talked the talk without walking the walk.
When I was sitting in listening prayers today a song entered my thoughts. It was Silent Night, the version released in the 60s by Simon and Garfunkle. For those that have never heard it, they play a very simple stripped back version with the 6pm evening news playing in the background. The news is talking about murder, fires, destruction and chaos and all the time the angelic voice of Art Garfunkel and Paul Simon sing about heavenly peace in a beautiful and poigniant paradox. I was struck especially by one line "Sleep in heavenly peace" and I thought to myself, that is exactly what I am doing. I am allowing myself to slumber in my faith, to coast along in my safe little Christian bubble when actually there is a lot more going on underneath than I am allowing myself to be involved with. I am being challanged and I am ignoring it, I am being called and turning my back. I need to confront myself and the fear that I have and stand up tall in my faith again. I know that I need to deal with the issues that I have based on my personal development with Jesus and
just feel the love that is offered to me.
I can talk about the love of God, I can find the references to the mercy and the grace, to the awesome sacrifice, to the ultimate gift that has been given to me despite my many human failings but I cannot feel it. How can I show it if I don't feel it. My faith is very much alive and it is still, I hope, shining through in what I do, but I think, like the version of Silent Night, I need to strip back everything else, get back to basics and just immerse myself in the love of our Lord.
Prayers would be appreciated.
God Bless
Sam
Tuesday 28 September 2010
Sunday 26 September 2010
Celebrity Christian Culture
We live in a world of Celebrity. It is, in my opinion, unfortunate. We are constantly bombarded by news articles, television programmes, websites and entire magazines dedicated to "being a celebrity" - it has been linked with girls having negative images of themselve, guys feeling the need to use steroids to change their body, the rise in numbers of people with eating disorders, huge amounts of money spent on surgical body enhancement in order to be like these famous folk. It is a huge market, one that produces a lot of revenue for many people and one that a vast number of people buy into and lap up on a regular basis.
Perhaps more dissappointly it seems to also have infiltrated Christian culture. Rather than the Christianity being a good example to the shallow and superficial world of Celebrity it seems that Celebrity has managed to inflict it's own shallow and superficial stance on Christians.
Christianity seems to be having a revival with huge festival style meetings and speakers flown in from all over the world hailed as "The most dynamic and most creative Chrisitan speaker ever" or Worship leaders that have "Sold hundreds and thousands of albums worldwide". Many Christians speakers do so with intergrity and continue to use their time on stage before thousands of other Christians for the right reason, Jesus, and the message that he wanted delivered.
Sometimes, however, it does feel like some speakers are not giving all the glory to God, not speaking with humility that I believe should be associated with their words, not rooting their messages in scripture and generally missing the point. Fortunately they are few and far between and, like I mentioned earlier, the vast number of Christian preachers and speakers do have intergrity and genuine love of Jesus.
But who is responsible for the ones that don't? Is it totally their fault that they have been raised up onto a pedestal and start to believe their own hype and maybe even revel in their new found fame in their comfortable neich market? Or do we, as Christians, have a responsibility to monitor those that speak and deliver the word of God? Is it up to us to judge and speak out if there is something that does not feel right to us.
Another aspect of this whole "Christian Celebrity" culture is the obvious hawking of books, cd's and dvd's. I don't have an issue with people writing books and asking people to pay for them, likewise with CD's and DVD's but I object to the constant barrage you get, at some Christian events, of the phrase "You can buy this... this is avilable for... for a bargain price of..." and having the stalls to sell them right there in the tent. Jesus kicked over tables and stopped people trading in the temple, is this really that far removed? (Perhaps the main difference being the lack of corruption in the Christian marketplace)
Sorry, somewhat of a rant there but I think I needed to get it off my chest. It is hard to become a well known Christian speaker and not be given many compliments on your ability to communicate and speaking from the experience I gained in the entertainment industry, it is very hard not to let constant encouragements and praise coupled with compliments and applause inflate the ego just a little bit.
Perhaps more dissappointly it seems to also have infiltrated Christian culture. Rather than the Christianity being a good example to the shallow and superficial world of Celebrity it seems that Celebrity has managed to inflict it's own shallow and superficial stance on Christians.
Christianity seems to be having a revival with huge festival style meetings and speakers flown in from all over the world hailed as "The most dynamic and most creative Chrisitan speaker ever" or Worship leaders that have "Sold hundreds and thousands of albums worldwide". Many Christians speakers do so with intergrity and continue to use their time on stage before thousands of other Christians for the right reason, Jesus, and the message that he wanted delivered.
Sometimes, however, it does feel like some speakers are not giving all the glory to God, not speaking with humility that I believe should be associated with their words, not rooting their messages in scripture and generally missing the point. Fortunately they are few and far between and, like I mentioned earlier, the vast number of Christian preachers and speakers do have intergrity and genuine love of Jesus.
But who is responsible for the ones that don't? Is it totally their fault that they have been raised up onto a pedestal and start to believe their own hype and maybe even revel in their new found fame in their comfortable neich market? Or do we, as Christians, have a responsibility to monitor those that speak and deliver the word of God? Is it up to us to judge and speak out if there is something that does not feel right to us.
Another aspect of this whole "Christian Celebrity" culture is the obvious hawking of books, cd's and dvd's. I don't have an issue with people writing books and asking people to pay for them, likewise with CD's and DVD's but I object to the constant barrage you get, at some Christian events, of the phrase "You can buy this... this is avilable for... for a bargain price of..." and having the stalls to sell them right there in the tent. Jesus kicked over tables and stopped people trading in the temple, is this really that far removed? (Perhaps the main difference being the lack of corruption in the Christian marketplace)
Sorry, somewhat of a rant there but I think I needed to get it off my chest. It is hard to become a well known Christian speaker and not be given many compliments on your ability to communicate and speaking from the experience I gained in the entertainment industry, it is very hard not to let constant encouragements and praise coupled with compliments and applause inflate the ego just a little bit.
Wednesday 22 September 2010
20s Cell
So, last night was the first meeting of the 20 somethings group from Chorleywood church. In an aim to give people a place to progress to at the end of the youth programme and also to make sure that the uni students have somewhere they can go with people of a similar age when they are back in the area between terms, this group has been setup with an aim to do worship, Bible study, discussion and general social activities (BANTER)- the group is currently nameless.
There were many people there last night. However, it will soon reduce in number as the students head off to various years of university life. Some of them for the first time. The vision is that there will be a sort of buddy system where those of us that will be regular in attendance will feed information on to those at uni. This will keep them very much in the loop and part of the fellowship.
Last night we examined 1 John Chapter 1. What I was struck by in this chapter was that it was based on experience. This was a letter from John, a man who had actually walked side by side with Jesus, spoken to him face to face and shared bread with him, saying that he would not be complete in his joy until he had shared it with others. Were three says "What we have seen and heard we announce to you too, so that you may have fellowship with us and indeed our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son Jesus Christ"
An amazing verse. John who experienced Christ first hand, on a personal level, wants to share that experience with us so that we too may be part of the fellowship. Not just an addition, not just a number to add to the people who believe but an equal partner in the fellowship. Not only that but the fellowship is also between God and Jesus. We are allowed, through the word, to join with the intimate and unending relationship of Father and Son. One of unconditional love and infinate wisdom.
The rest of the chapter has a focus on Jesus as the light of the world. With him there is NO darkness and if we too want to announce that we walk in the light then we actually have to do it. There is no chance to hide in the shadows and be in darkness in our hearts and minds and simply pay lip service. Doing so is a lie and it was really interesting to read that the end of the chapter stated "If we say we have not sinned we make him (God) a liar and his word is not in us"
Not only is it deceptive to ourselves to think we are blameless and sinless but to announce it is to suggest that God is wrong when he says we are sinful. Jesus made it very clear that all have sinned and only in the acknowledgement of that and choosing to walk in the light of Jesus, joining in with that fellowship shared by God and Jesus, do we become purified by his sacrifice.
Amazing evening and one that spoke to me on a very personal level. For a long time I have felt that I am simply paying lip service to my faith. I have been scared to stand out from the crowd as a Christian and I have lacked the courage to want to encourage others to listen to what Jesus has for them so that they too may share in something that has improved my life tenfold. I hope that this year I grow in my relationship with God. I have, in recent years, taken him off of my spiritual speed-dial. He is not the first person I turn to when I am happy, when I am sad or in need. He should be. I should glorify him in all that I do and I really believe that this year is going to help me do that in preparation for further ministry.
Your prayers would be appreciated.
There were many people there last night. However, it will soon reduce in number as the students head off to various years of university life. Some of them for the first time. The vision is that there will be a sort of buddy system where those of us that will be regular in attendance will feed information on to those at uni. This will keep them very much in the loop and part of the fellowship.
Last night we examined 1 John Chapter 1. What I was struck by in this chapter was that it was based on experience. This was a letter from John, a man who had actually walked side by side with Jesus, spoken to him face to face and shared bread with him, saying that he would not be complete in his joy until he had shared it with others. Were three says "What we have seen and heard we announce to you too, so that you may have fellowship with us and indeed our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son Jesus Christ"
An amazing verse. John who experienced Christ first hand, on a personal level, wants to share that experience with us so that we too may be part of the fellowship. Not just an addition, not just a number to add to the people who believe but an equal partner in the fellowship. Not only that but the fellowship is also between God and Jesus. We are allowed, through the word, to join with the intimate and unending relationship of Father and Son. One of unconditional love and infinate wisdom.
The rest of the chapter has a focus on Jesus as the light of the world. With him there is NO darkness and if we too want to announce that we walk in the light then we actually have to do it. There is no chance to hide in the shadows and be in darkness in our hearts and minds and simply pay lip service. Doing so is a lie and it was really interesting to read that the end of the chapter stated "If we say we have not sinned we make him (God) a liar and his word is not in us"
Not only is it deceptive to ourselves to think we are blameless and sinless but to announce it is to suggest that God is wrong when he says we are sinful. Jesus made it very clear that all have sinned and only in the acknowledgement of that and choosing to walk in the light of Jesus, joining in with that fellowship shared by God and Jesus, do we become purified by his sacrifice.
Amazing evening and one that spoke to me on a very personal level. For a long time I have felt that I am simply paying lip service to my faith. I have been scared to stand out from the crowd as a Christian and I have lacked the courage to want to encourage others to listen to what Jesus has for them so that they too may share in something that has improved my life tenfold. I hope that this year I grow in my relationship with God. I have, in recent years, taken him off of my spiritual speed-dial. He is not the first person I turn to when I am happy, when I am sad or in need. He should be. I should glorify him in all that I do and I really believe that this year is going to help me do that in preparation for further ministry.
Your prayers would be appreciated.
Saturday 18 September 2010
3D - First Thoughts
Last night was the first 3D event of the term. 3D is based at St Andrew's church in Chorleywood and is a combined meeting of the young people from St Andrew's and from Christchurch lead by Bob (our youth minister) and Con (St Andrew's Youth minister)
The day yesterday started with a lunch at Bob's house so that we could meet Con and his team of interns. They also have three people working with them on the youth side (St Andrew's also have three interns for the children's ministry - so six of them do the same job that Jon, Fiona and myself do - but St Andrew's is much bigger!)They have a great team working with them. Ally from Scotland, Becky from Doncaster and Gemma who is from Bournemouth and doing her second year of internship with St Andrew's. There was a good atmosphere which I think was helped by the fact that Con and Bob grew up together and have been close friends since then. When your leaders have clearly bonded so well it filters through. Also, everyone is friendly and sociable which helps!
So, the main event. Fiona, Jon and I were a little late arriving. Not because we are tardy or disorganitsed but simply because we have to come straight from the children's group FFF at Arnett Hills School - so by the time we have packed up and driven across to 3D we miss the first 20 minutes or so. This time is used for the young people to socialise and generally get to know each other. There is a tuck shop, places to chat, Nintentdo Wii and Playstation. The interns and leaders mingle and filter through generally helping to welcome people.
The evening started with a game of getting to know the new interns from both churches. We were made to lay down on rolls of wall paper and were drawn around by the youth. They then had to use our outlines to create a wrestling persona for us. The group of girls that decorated me gave me gangstar pants and lot's of bling. After much chuckling and banter we started a worship session. Gemma was on guitar with a young chap (don't know his name) on a single drum. There is something about stripped back simple worship that I still find very appealing.
We also watched part of a talk called Hope by an American Pastor called Louie Giglio (although I may have spelled his name incorrectly) - there was a point in my life where I didn't like Mr Giglio. In the late 90s he was the most quoted person at all Christian events, it seemed that you could not believe without approval from Louie Giglio or if you had not heard him personally. My thoughts were unfounded and I guess I just resented the fact that there are lots of fantastic speakers who seemingly were not getting a look in. However, his talk last night on hope when we have reached rock bottom and how easy it is to blame God for the troubles in our lives was really good and rather inspirational. Just looking around the room you could see how well the youth were listening and connecting with it. Some of them I knew were in that rock bottom place, others I have not met yet and don't know where they stand, but there was definate connection with the words in that room.
Con stood up after and prayed. He also said that if anyone wanted to be prayed for to hold their hands out to signal to the leaders in the room that they wanted prayer. We then had to move around and pray for them, for whatever was on their minds and on their hearts. I come from quite a conservative traditional church originally and although I have had hands layed on me and prayers spoken over me and I have, in turn, prayed with other people and for other people, I had never actually been one to administer prayer in that sense. It was a Baptism of fire (no pun intended) and I just really had to rely on God to give me the right words to say so that those I prayed for felt that their request had been met.
It was a really good experience. There was definately some high emotion flying around and I don't know who has been affected in what way but the leaders all prayed later when the youth had departed that whatever had started there that evening could continue through the term, year and years to come.
Just wanted to share a little insight into what happens at 3D - Declare, Demonstrate and Deliver - attempting to promote church in a way that young people find easy to access.
God Bless
Sam
The day yesterday started with a lunch at Bob's house so that we could meet Con and his team of interns. They also have three people working with them on the youth side (St Andrew's also have three interns for the children's ministry - so six of them do the same job that Jon, Fiona and myself do - but St Andrew's is much bigger!)They have a great team working with them. Ally from Scotland, Becky from Doncaster and Gemma who is from Bournemouth and doing her second year of internship with St Andrew's. There was a good atmosphere which I think was helped by the fact that Con and Bob grew up together and have been close friends since then. When your leaders have clearly bonded so well it filters through. Also, everyone is friendly and sociable which helps!
So, the main event. Fiona, Jon and I were a little late arriving. Not because we are tardy or disorganitsed but simply because we have to come straight from the children's group FFF at Arnett Hills School - so by the time we have packed up and driven across to 3D we miss the first 20 minutes or so. This time is used for the young people to socialise and generally get to know each other. There is a tuck shop, places to chat, Nintentdo Wii and Playstation. The interns and leaders mingle and filter through generally helping to welcome people.
The evening started with a game of getting to know the new interns from both churches. We were made to lay down on rolls of wall paper and were drawn around by the youth. They then had to use our outlines to create a wrestling persona for us. The group of girls that decorated me gave me gangstar pants and lot's of bling. After much chuckling and banter we started a worship session. Gemma was on guitar with a young chap (don't know his name) on a single drum. There is something about stripped back simple worship that I still find very appealing.
We also watched part of a talk called Hope by an American Pastor called Louie Giglio (although I may have spelled his name incorrectly) - there was a point in my life where I didn't like Mr Giglio. In the late 90s he was the most quoted person at all Christian events, it seemed that you could not believe without approval from Louie Giglio or if you had not heard him personally. My thoughts were unfounded and I guess I just resented the fact that there are lots of fantastic speakers who seemingly were not getting a look in. However, his talk last night on hope when we have reached rock bottom and how easy it is to blame God for the troubles in our lives was really good and rather inspirational. Just looking around the room you could see how well the youth were listening and connecting with it. Some of them I knew were in that rock bottom place, others I have not met yet and don't know where they stand, but there was definate connection with the words in that room.
Con stood up after and prayed. He also said that if anyone wanted to be prayed for to hold their hands out to signal to the leaders in the room that they wanted prayer. We then had to move around and pray for them, for whatever was on their minds and on their hearts. I come from quite a conservative traditional church originally and although I have had hands layed on me and prayers spoken over me and I have, in turn, prayed with other people and for other people, I had never actually been one to administer prayer in that sense. It was a Baptism of fire (no pun intended) and I just really had to rely on God to give me the right words to say so that those I prayed for felt that their request had been met.
It was a really good experience. There was definately some high emotion flying around and I don't know who has been affected in what way but the leaders all prayed later when the youth had departed that whatever had started there that evening could continue through the term, year and years to come.
Just wanted to share a little insight into what happens at 3D - Declare, Demonstrate and Deliver - attempting to promote church in a way that young people find easy to access.
God Bless
Sam
Tuesday 14 September 2010
Christchurch - Week One
Well, my first week at Christchurch has come to a close and we have begun the real work of getting to know the young people and trying to engage with them in a church setting that is not intimidating, boring or extreme. It is really great here. The team of people here are fantastic. Bob - the youth minister - is really switched on and really on fire for the work that happens in this area. Cheryl - the childrens minister - is fantastic at engaging with the really little ones and does so in a manner that is not patronising. Gavin - the vicar - is a funny guy and clearly follows his vocation closely and leads the church remarkably well. The rest of the team, in the office, pastoral care, church wardens etc are all really singing from the same hymn sheet (no pun intended)
I am exceptionally lucky to be sharing a house with Fiona and Jon, two great people who are making the whole process of settling in much easier. We are getting along well and share many things such as sense of humour and a desire to see the house kept in a clean state and acceptable to live in.
So far most of the work has been getting to know the routine, meeting people, prayer meetings and team building. Tonight we are running "Going Deeper" - which is one of the youth events for the key stage three group and unfortunately Bob is not well this evening so it's interns on their own! Nothing like being thrown in at the deep end. We have planned the games and such and it is quite fortunate that it is a social and we are not being responsible for leading and Bible study in our first encounter with this group.
The motto of the whole youth is "We exist to reach our family and friends who don't know Jesus, to show them his love and to grow passionate followers of God that seek to worship him with their whole lives" - which is really encouraging. What was amazing about it was that when it was first written it only mentioned friends and the young people themselves requested the inclusion of the word 'family' which shows that they are thinking about it and wanting their families to share the same experience that they do.
I am off now to prepare the quiz and meet and greet style game for this evening and generally get myself ready before we wander churchward to lead the meeting. I shall report back on how it went and the first encounter with the 10-14 year olds of 'Going Deeper'
God Bless
I am exceptionally lucky to be sharing a house with Fiona and Jon, two great people who are making the whole process of settling in much easier. We are getting along well and share many things such as sense of humour and a desire to see the house kept in a clean state and acceptable to live in.
So far most of the work has been getting to know the routine, meeting people, prayer meetings and team building. Tonight we are running "Going Deeper" - which is one of the youth events for the key stage three group and unfortunately Bob is not well this evening so it's interns on their own! Nothing like being thrown in at the deep end. We have planned the games and such and it is quite fortunate that it is a social and we are not being responsible for leading and Bible study in our first encounter with this group.
The motto of the whole youth is "We exist to reach our family and friends who don't know Jesus, to show them his love and to grow passionate followers of God that seek to worship him with their whole lives" - which is really encouraging. What was amazing about it was that when it was first written it only mentioned friends and the young people themselves requested the inclusion of the word 'family' which shows that they are thinking about it and wanting their families to share the same experience that they do.
I am off now to prepare the quiz and meet and greet style game for this evening and generally get myself ready before we wander churchward to lead the meeting. I shall report back on how it went and the first encounter with the 10-14 year olds of 'Going Deeper'
God Bless
Monday 6 September 2010
My Cup Runneth Over
My good friend Steve says this when he is feeling blessed by all the events and scenarios in his life seem to be pointing in the correct direction. At this particular moment I am feeling very much the same. I am feeling totally blessed and honoured to be sitting where I am right at this moment. In my new lounge, of my new home, in Chorleywood.
This is my second night in the house. Since moving in and cleaning (ALOT!) I have attended church twice, been introduced to huge numbers of people (the task of remembering all of their names and positions within the church is one that seems enormous and at this moment unattainable!) - my face actually aches from smiling. I have had a morning prayer meeting, moved some chairs, had a meeting with Bob and Cheryl (My bosses)and have generally spent time getting myself settled in and getting to know my awesome house mates a little better.
We have had some silly chats and some theological ones. We have talked about the nitty gritty of gettinog the house straight and also just randomness about our lives. We have conversed about our journeys, our beliefs, our policitcal leanings, our bad habits, sleeping patterns and Fiona's feet.
In the meeting today with the bosses they outlined all the different clubs and activities we will be involved in when stuff really starts happening (next week as the youth have only returned to school this week) and we are going to have a very varied and interesting time. I am even going to have to get my trainers out and play football! It is strange what path you are guided to by God.
I sat in the prayer meeting this morning and was suddenly struck by the fact that it is now my job to attend church. That in itself is good training for my future progression down the path to ordination. It won't just be something that I do for God and for my own spiritual development but because it is my job. This year I have to be an example to the young people. To show them God working in my life so that he may work in theirs also. That is a little daunting, knowing that without realising it I could influence the Christian life of another in either a positive or negative way. The old words of "with great power comes great responsibility" seem to echo in my mind.
I am really, really excited about the coming year. The staff here are amazing and so on track with what God wants them to be doing in this place. I have never been involved in a church before that is so intent on listening to God and putting everyting into his hands through prayer. I think sometimes churches get bogged down in their own daily grind and politics and forget what is important and why they are there in the first place. I certainly don't get that feeling from Christchurch. This place really has an apt name as everything is put to Jesus and it is without a doubt his church.
During this year I am also going to be enrolled in a leadership programme in Watford through the London Bible College and I will have lectures and seminars to attend with Fiona and Jon on a Wednesday morning. Again this is going to be perfect training to get me into the study of theology mindset that I will need should I progress to vicar factory.
So, as you can probably tell I am very pleased that God has seen fit to place me here with a great team, lovely house, fantastic housemates and oppertunity in abundence to prepare myself for future church dealings.
God Bless
Sam
This is my second night in the house. Since moving in and cleaning (ALOT!) I have attended church twice, been introduced to huge numbers of people (the task of remembering all of their names and positions within the church is one that seems enormous and at this moment unattainable!) - my face actually aches from smiling. I have had a morning prayer meeting, moved some chairs, had a meeting with Bob and Cheryl (My bosses)and have generally spent time getting myself settled in and getting to know my awesome house mates a little better.
We have had some silly chats and some theological ones. We have talked about the nitty gritty of gettinog the house straight and also just randomness about our lives. We have conversed about our journeys, our beliefs, our policitcal leanings, our bad habits, sleeping patterns and Fiona's feet.
In the meeting today with the bosses they outlined all the different clubs and activities we will be involved in when stuff really starts happening (next week as the youth have only returned to school this week) and we are going to have a very varied and interesting time. I am even going to have to get my trainers out and play football! It is strange what path you are guided to by God.
I sat in the prayer meeting this morning and was suddenly struck by the fact that it is now my job to attend church. That in itself is good training for my future progression down the path to ordination. It won't just be something that I do for God and for my own spiritual development but because it is my job. This year I have to be an example to the young people. To show them God working in my life so that he may work in theirs also. That is a little daunting, knowing that without realising it I could influence the Christian life of another in either a positive or negative way. The old words of "with great power comes great responsibility" seem to echo in my mind.
I am really, really excited about the coming year. The staff here are amazing and so on track with what God wants them to be doing in this place. I have never been involved in a church before that is so intent on listening to God and putting everyting into his hands through prayer. I think sometimes churches get bogged down in their own daily grind and politics and forget what is important and why they are there in the first place. I certainly don't get that feeling from Christchurch. This place really has an apt name as everything is put to Jesus and it is without a doubt his church.
During this year I am also going to be enrolled in a leadership programme in Watford through the London Bible College and I will have lectures and seminars to attend with Fiona and Jon on a Wednesday morning. Again this is going to be perfect training to get me into the study of theology mindset that I will need should I progress to vicar factory.
So, as you can probably tell I am very pleased that God has seen fit to place me here with a great team, lovely house, fantastic housemates and oppertunity in abundence to prepare myself for future church dealings.
God Bless
Sam
Saturday 4 September 2010
Making a home
Another blog update so soon after my last - however I wanted to get this written down.
Yesterday I arrived at Little Croft (my new house) at 9am. The plan was to spend the time unpacking and such, getting myself ready to move in on Sunday morning officially. (After my last show and my performance with LLTC - I am going to miss working with that group!)
Laura arrived to help me, which I really appreciated because I had no idea how big the job was going to be. Before tha arrival of Laura, Fiona and I used the morning to put numerous duplicate items into the storage space of the loft. Several headboards, many tables, bags and boxes all moved to make more space to live in.
A little bit of painting needed to be finished in my room so that was done early in the day so that it would dry. My clothes were put away into the drawers and cupboards of my room.
Then we tackled the kitchen. We washed everything. All the cups and glasses, knives, forks, sideboards, inside the cupboards, outside the cupboards. Dusted everything, hoovered upstairs and down, stashed more duplicate items out of the way. By the end of the day it started to feel new - appropriate for a new start.
Jon arrived at 3:30pm (or there abouts) driven by his parents and bringing his possessions with him. There was a very nomadic feel about yesterday, Jon's life in boxes, Fiona packing up her studio and my arrival with cases of clothes. For a brief time (about half an hour) we were all in the house together. It was strange but suddenly it felt more homely. I didn't really understand this as essentially we are all strangers but there was something very relaxing about the others being there and the house taking shape.
Sunday is my first official day as a resident of Chorleywood. A dweller of Hertfordshire and a staff member of Christchurch. After the deep clean yesterday I am feeling refreshed and ready.
God Bless
Sam
Yesterday I arrived at Little Croft (my new house) at 9am. The plan was to spend the time unpacking and such, getting myself ready to move in on Sunday morning officially. (After my last show and my performance with LLTC - I am going to miss working with that group!)
Laura arrived to help me, which I really appreciated because I had no idea how big the job was going to be. Before tha arrival of Laura, Fiona and I used the morning to put numerous duplicate items into the storage space of the loft. Several headboards, many tables, bags and boxes all moved to make more space to live in.
A little bit of painting needed to be finished in my room so that was done early in the day so that it would dry. My clothes were put away into the drawers and cupboards of my room.
Then we tackled the kitchen. We washed everything. All the cups and glasses, knives, forks, sideboards, inside the cupboards, outside the cupboards. Dusted everything, hoovered upstairs and down, stashed more duplicate items out of the way. By the end of the day it started to feel new - appropriate for a new start.
Jon arrived at 3:30pm (or there abouts) driven by his parents and bringing his possessions with him. There was a very nomadic feel about yesterday, Jon's life in boxes, Fiona packing up her studio and my arrival with cases of clothes. For a brief time (about half an hour) we were all in the house together. It was strange but suddenly it felt more homely. I didn't really understand this as essentially we are all strangers but there was something very relaxing about the others being there and the house taking shape.
Sunday is my first official day as a resident of Chorleywood. A dweller of Hertfordshire and a staff member of Christchurch. After the deep clean yesterday I am feeling refreshed and ready.
God Bless
Sam
Thursday 2 September 2010
Sentimental Farewells
Hi all. The following blog, I warn you, is sentimental. I am a few days away from my new start in Chorleywood (when this blog really begins, I suppose) and I wanted to post my goodbye to Granborough Church on here. The following is the post that I submitted to the editor of the Pew News which goes around once a month. While it is directed toward members of the Granborough Church Community (A few of whom may stumble across this blog from time to time) it is also relevant to others who read this blog, such as my very good friend Steve as well as my family.
So, here goes. See you on the otherside!
So, here goes. See you on the otherside!
Farewell (for now)
Hi everyone, as some of you will be aware I am off to Chorleywood to work as an intern at Christchurch on the Common for a year. While there I will be assisting the youth and children’s work team in running their numerous clubs and activities as well as assisting in daily church life. It is all part of the early steps on the ladder to becoming a vicar as the Diocesan Director of Ordination wanted me to get a wider experience of church life (i.e. somewhere not as rural as Granborough – with different challenges etc) before putting me forward to selection.
As I write this note I am sitting in a half packed up room as I will be moving into my new house as of the 5th September. I have lived in Granborough all of my life (25 years this November) and I have never left home – having never attended university. This little church has been the backbone of my spiritual life since I was 7 years old and I am going to miss it. I have made so many friends in Granborough, I have watched people come and go, vicars change and the church has continued to grow. So many people within the church and the community have been an influence on my life both spiritually and personally, I have grown my business from the community and been given the confidence and encouragement to achieve my goals. I have worked my way through Sunday School and Crusaders, been a member of the Beavers, Cubs and Scouts as well as leading some of those groups too.
I just wanted to drop a little message into the Pew News to say Thank You to you all for your kindness, your love and your ongoing support. Granborough truly is a church that displays the love and acceptance of the family of God to a better extent than I have ever experienced elsewhere. It really is one of the warmest church anywhere (and not just because of the amazing roaring heaters) – I will do my best to pop in when I can over the next year or so but until then you will remain in my thoughts and my prayers.
Granborough, God Bless, I will miss you.
With Love
Sam Cross
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